RIVRON 1 claims success in tackling Iraqi IEDs, but new boats may be needed

摘要

The 220 sailors and 12 boats of Riverine Squadron 1 (RIVRON 1) made a significant contribution to the reduction in insurgent activity in northwestern Iraq during its inaugural operational deployment in 2007, according to the commander of the recently formed US Navy (USN) unit.rnRIVRON 1 was applauded for reducing access by insurgents to rivers in the region, preventing the large-scale transportation of weapons, and allowing other US elements to provide unhindered assistance to Iraqi communities.rnIt was the first time the USN has fielded an active riverine unit since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, when the Mobile Riverine Force -which was based in the Mekong Delta and controlled jointly by the US Army - was stood down and its capabilities devolved to special forces units.rnIt was the US 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review that announced the reconstitution of a naval riverine capability "to improve the ability of US forces to work with the security forces of partner countries to deny terrorist groups the use of waterways".